CB Radio 11 metres 27MHz AM FM SSB freeband channels citizens band

CB Radio, what's it all about? 11 metres 27MHz AM FM SSB freeband EU UK USA channels citizens band... it's a minefield out there! Some radios have 6 bands... legal? Illegal? This video is to introduce newcomers to the 11 metre band.
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[@DjNikGnashers]

I got into CB radio in 1978 in the UK. When FM became legal in the UK, it might have had a few bucket mouths, mike keyers, music players, etc, but it was actually brilliant. It was our social media. Yes there were lots of kids on there, but so what, it was absolutely brilliant fun, some of the best times of my youth were spent on UKFM. There was always the ham licences for serious radio op's, and many CB'ers went into ham radio, as I did myself. To be fair, I spent 20 years on ham radio and it can be just as bad as any early 1980's CB radio experience. There are good and bad op's on every band.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, it was brilliant. A few of us would drive out of town, away from the crowded channels, and chat to people all over the place. Happy days!

[@RSCOZZY]

@Nik I spent a good few years of my late teens in the mid to late 90's on the UK 40. It was brilliant even then. Fantastic fun with fox hunts and general mayhem. Met so many people, and even girls! 😜 Fond memories. I have got back into it, and have a setup in my van, using the first CB I bought, a Midland 77-104 UK. Still loads of decent people out there to chat with. Great stuff. Very good video, thank you Ray.

[@raysrants]

@@RSCOZZY thanks, great to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@indridcold8433]

I was the youngest licensed operator back in 1978. 73 de KBX-1339 from Uranium City, Saskatchewan. The home of dust and moss.

[@elektroqtus]

Yessir. Started with ch 14 CB walkie talkies as kids. My dad and his brothers got their 23 channel CB licenses and radios. Our kids toy walkies could hear all the channels at once. Super regeneration reception and 27.125Mhz transmitter with 100mW. Many years later, after military service, I got more, fm, am, ssb. Too much to say here

[@graemeeuk]

Nice little video. Many of us amateurs came from CB, and I still have affection for it even though I’ve not transmitted there since the 80s. At the time of writing in late May 24 the sporadic E season is upon us. You would expect the 10m amateur band to be buzzing when the MuF is high enough, yet it is often really quiet. Meanwhile on 11m the bands are packed, SSB, AM and FM. Casual “lingo” chats, and DXers with as much professionalism as on the amateur bands, with a sprinkling of American truckers with massive echo and of course, roger bleeps. The amount of activity, and the variety of it, does tempt me back! Thanks for a good balanced video anyway. 73, M0EUK

[@g4nsj]

Hi, great to hear from you. Yes, sporadic E is certainly here. 6 metres has been a little active so I'm keeping an ear on that band. I still monitor the CB channels, usually 27.555 which is very busy. 73, Ray.

[@togeika]

Minneapolis, USA here. I was into CBs in the 70s when I worked for UPS. My call sign back then was KEC0500. Thanks for explaining the UK scene. I just ordered a CRT SS6900V from a guy here who imports, aligns and converts them for CB frequencies. When I found out that Sunspot activity should peak in 2025, I thought it might be interested to listen to skip. Got books and workbooks to study for ham license. so listen in on 10 meter too

[@g4nsj]

Hi, great to hear from you. I'm looking forward to the sunspot activity peaking in 2025. The CRT SS6900V is a nice radio, you should have some good contacts with it. Cheers, Ray.

[@togeika]

Thank you Ray! I need to get a proper antenna up. Playing around with an inverted “V” dipole. Thinking of adding a 102” whip to it.

[@g4nsj]

@@togeika Good luck with the project.

[@get__some]

that radio works great right out of the box. wish i would have got a k-po dx 5000 from Scott's Radios in Michigan though. the blue screen is an eyeball killer

[@daveeyboy100]

Great video Ray. Been using CB (Free banding) for 40 years

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, it's great to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@davidrowe571]

Hello from Provence France. I was one of the pirates all of those years ago, finished up using a NATO 2000 in fact still got it covered in dust. I have just bought a tiny rig to instal in my camper out of interest to see if CB is still alive, thanks for the video. old call sign RR77 ( Rolling Road club Cornwall back then)

[@g4nsj]

Hi, it's great to hear from you. They were good days on CB. There are still quite a few on CH19 in my area. Good luck with the rig in your camper. Cheers, Ray.

[@TheTemporalAnomaly]

The reason for the channel frequencies ending .125 eg 27.60125 was supposedly an attempt to reduce the chance of interference to legitimate vhf services due to harmonics from the frequently, Mr screwdriver tweaked 11 meter sets. It was in theory a good idea, though it was also very annoying to the CB users who wanted international compatibility. I suppose you could say it fulfilled two purposes. I love your content by the way! (Chris from the guys of 1977khz am)

[@g4nsj]

Hi Chris, I trhink you're right. So many rigs were played about with by Mr Screwdriver! I love top band! Cheers, Ray.

[@duanetrivett750]

I am from the US and I enjoy your videos very much especially when you give your own opinions " let them get on with it" you said, love it ! Keep up the good work!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks! It’s great to hear from you!

[@fretlessfender]

Well... thank you for explaining all this! If your not into this thing it can be quite confusing, you just opened it up to me... thank you again, really appreciate it!

[@g4nsj]

Tnanks! Glad you found it useful. Cheers, Ray.

[@RingwayManchester]

Thanks Ray this cleared up a lot of confusion for me

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Thanks.

[@LymanHatcher]

Like your videos. You seem like a very nice person. I consider you a friend that I have not shaking hands with yet. You are right 11 meters has become the wild, wild West and will continue. You have to give 11 meter credit in that it is used and not boring unlike the 10 meter band which is covered with contesting and very little conversation to make new friends. Anyway have a wonderful 2024. God bless the UK.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, it's nice to hear from you. Happy New year! Let's hope it's a good one. Cheers, Ray.

[@millrad]

Hi Ray. Interesting and well made video on the CB and 11 meter hobby. You mentioned that stations can be heard transmitting as low as the 24 MHz band. I'm sure you're aware there is a popular ham band on 12 meters - 24.890 MHz to 24.990 MHz. There is wonderful worldwide communications on this band when the sunspot numbers are high, as they have been recently. Propagation is very similar to 10 and 11 meters.

[@g4nsj]

I’m very active on the 10 and 12 metre amateur bands. We are nearing the maximum sunspot cycle so propagation should be good soon.

[@paulpearce1161]

Many thanks Ron .Another great programme . Best wishes from Cornwall.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@AdamDeal-KF0PRI]

i got into 11 meters back in the 90s and i just now got my tech a couple weeks ago! if i find a few potty mouths i just find a different frequency and just listen in if i cant talk there! thats the fun of radio!

[@g4nsj]

Indeed!

[@GordonHudson]

The reasons for the different Uk channels were: 1. Potential interference to radio paging systems that were common on the US channels (e.g. hospitals) and radio control models. 2. Reduce the risk of interference from abroad interfering with UK users. 3. Encourage UK companies to make the radios. #3 failed spectacularly as the only synthesizers that could handle it were things like the LC7137 and Sanyo wouldn't supply them as they were supplying them to companies like Cybernet.

[@g4nsj]

That's interesting, thanks.

[@johnnorth9355]

Not bored at all - and very glad I am not the only one confused ! Subscribed.

[@MisterBigDave]

CB is not for everyone.. I’ve been on a VERY long time and it has changed a lot, but still has something about it that keeps me tuned in. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@g4nsj]

Same here, I’m always monitoring.

[@tedmead465]

As part of the fire dept. I have a cb installed in my vehicle for the purpose of notifying truckers of road closing during accidents. This allows them to find alternate routes. They are more than appreciative.

[@g4nsj]

@@tedmead465 Good idea, I wish people did that here.

[@danielstimpson7792]

I loved UK FM, it was so much fun. It just reflected a wide demographic and there were serious operators. In the morning before the band got noisy there used to be ground wave nets. I used to regularly hear stations 60 miles+ away. "Scotch lady" (Sandbach near M6 junction 17) was one such station that used to run great early morning nets. I miss those days!

[@g4nsj]

I also miss those days.

[@g4nsj]

@knowitstime7961 I have a rig switched on most of the time. There are quite a few locals here.

[@mmwaashumslowww7167]

Great overview of this subject Ray. Back in 1984, I had the 27mhz fm CB. I soon got fed up with the idiots as you mentioned and splashed out on a 934mhz set up instead. That was good 👍 but even that has gone now.

[@madcarew5168]

Perhaps I'm older than you then,got out about 1981..too much crap,even on an 80 ch. Sold it to a lorry driving pal...but many happy days/nights otherwise!!

[@mmwaashumslowww7167]

@@madcarew5168 Yes you could be starting earlier than me. I was 26 when I had the CB and only did so because many people that I knew were doing it. I was into receiving before that and never made any transmissions. Great days for everything back then.

[@g4nsj]

Things are much better these days.

[@g4nsj]

@@madcarew5168 There was a lot of crap back then which ruined it.

[@pmr446]

Hi Ray, fascinating video and extremely informative. I prefer the term "11 meter operator" rather than CBer, we use self allocated callsigns and Q codes, akin to amateur radio. We often use amateur radio apparatus as it is unenforced. Recently I spoke to a station off the coast of Tunisia, my Icom has an automatic SD card recorder which makes it ideal for video uploads. I put it to my channel. 73 from Daniella 26TD29.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Daniella, it's lovely to hear from you. Yes, 11 metre operator is far better. OK on the Q codes, that's interesting. I see from your call sign division 26 that you are in the UK. How do I find you KZbin channel? All the best, Ray.

[@g4nsj]

It's OK, I've found your channel!

[@Mike-H_UK]

A number of transceivers are covered on Ringway Manchester's KZbin channel. Also Knoxieman restores old CB radios, a bit like Ray did with the valve radios. There are a lot of great videos covering both the restoration and testing with his friend several miles distant on his KZbin channel.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Mike. I'll check out the KZbin channel., Cheers, Ray.

[@TheWaterboarders]

The trouble with legislation is that it always lags behind innovation. I was one of those kids that had an FM CB back in 1981. It was great fun. I was on air until the early 90s, just getting back into it now. Back then the UK government tried to call CB 'Open Channel', which these days seems a pretty appropriate term. Yesterday I passed my Foundation test so looking forward to getting my callsign and seeng what there is. Still trying to work out what radio/bands/frequencies to get into.

[@g4nsj]

Congratulations on your Foundation! Well done! Let me know what your call sign is when you get it. Cheers, Ray.

[@rolfsblog]

Hi Ray, Nice video!!! Nice transceivers too! I usually refer to the CB band as the 11 meter. I won't repeat the comment about another movie... Nice of you to spend time on the 11m! As one of the dealers said here, if you play by all the rules you miss out on all the fun and I can understand that... Sure it's better to play by the rules... but I also get that sometimes things must do that are actually not allowed. You're missing out on a lot if you stay on the legal CEPT channels. Sometimes a little higher on the channels is nothing wrong with that as long as you don't do things that are not possible... For the serious 11 meter user, the band could be a bit more open... more channels 27,415 to 27,855 added... So that it actually freebands has become legal. What I regret is that there are so many stations that use a lot of watts to make their contacts, pushing out the guys and gals with lower power and making it almost impossible for them to make contact. I'm usually around the legal watts... but sometimes I think a directional antenna and 100+ watts is not a luxury but a necessity. But then I think again of the summer of 2022 where I made contact with southern Europe with 2 watts on the FM. It is therefore quite possible to make contact with less power. You don't have to be a power station... invest in a good antenna and you'll go a long way. But my story is starting to resemble the previous comment again... I also like working with the frequencies instead of the channels... is also easier for making contacts on the triple 5. Thank you for this informative video!!! I hope you spend more time on the 11 meters!!! 👍👍👍

[@g4nsj]

Great to hear from you Rolf. I am spending more time on 11 metres these days. Like you, I like to work with frequencies not channel numbers. You're right about power. With a decent antenna, you don't need millions of Watts. Glad you liked the video. Cheers, Ray.

[@robertsimpson2167]

Bought a Realistic TRC 1001 hand held from Tandy still have it and it still works. Had great fun in the early eighties, shame there were idiots on there. It was the social media of the day, fond memories.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, there were a few nutters on the band back then. It's pretty good these days with quite a few local people on.

[@Alfa011]

One of the most objective analysis of the use of the 11 meter band by serious 11 meters operators! 2AT111

[@raysrants]

Thanks!

[@tonytcb1]

Enjoyed your waffling on about 11 meters like the way your post was put together also enjoyed looking at your radio collection 73s

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, thanks!

[@philiprhodes5537]

Man with a couple of widebanded hf sets there absolute legend💪 I always say despite something being illegal as long as your not causing any harm to others whats the real problem…🤔 Tbf the laws like all uk laws are just a form of control and we only obey them because we feel good about complying with authority it makes us feel like good citizens.. Sadly compliance does not create good people compliance only creates obidient servants who question nothing… Good on ya mate love your radio set up and going to be looking to get a widebanded hf unit myself fairly soon so I can listen on the hf bands and also use the same radio to transmit 11 meters on the 555

[@raysrants]

Thanks., it's great to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@jeremynottingham6277]

2CT351 Colorado, Freebander for life . good "rant" Ray... 73

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@alastairbarkley6572]

The EU didn't come into effect until the Maastricht Treaty of 1991. CB AM UK pirates is somewhat earlier - as was legal FM. Leaver or Remainer, we ought to understand what happened in 2016.

[@MM0IMC]

8:05 I believe the aerial rules were no longer than 1.5m in length and had to be base loaded. That changed to 1.65m maximum length. Eventually, it was changed to maximum length of 5.55m with a loading coil diameter of 55mm. The loading coil diameter restriction was later ditched, I believe.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, I recall something like that. Thanks!

[@Codyjrt]

You mentioned Bulgaria at 11:10. That’s where I was married years ago. Hello from the USA and Bulgaria.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Great to hear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@normanhill535]

There are 4 classes of CB in the United States: Class D. 26.96-27.41 MHz Class C 72 & 75 MHz. Remote control craft Class A & B now GMRS licenced up to 50 watts now FRS unlicenced 1/2 watt and 2 watts 462 & 467 MHz shared with GMRS MURS 151 & 154 MHz 5 channels and 2 watts FCC reorganised CB, GMRS, FRS and MURS in 2017. 27 MHz may use FM and selcall now. 27.555 MHZ is a business or rescue frequency in USA

[@Scotscan]

Yup, pretty good run through over the mystery that is 11m. I get the impression that Ofcom would only bother if there was legitimate interference being made to a commercial user but really this band doesn't have much secondary use apart from perhaps low powered remote control devices (e.g. 27.145MHZ). In fact I remember when my mother had a wireless mouse that operated in the mid band - I could cause it to not work by transmitting 4W from an old Cybernet (legal) CB ;)

[@madcarew5168]

Always nice to see you Ray..to see you...Nice!!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@keithjamieson3725]

Very good and well explained. I have managed to find out some of the rules but not all. Thank you for taking the time to put it all together.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@toastnotoflondon8500]

Just spoke to a few stations over in the States. Propagation is getting better all the time. I'm afraid what was used is classified information. 😁🏴‍☠️ Jolly Roger 3380. Apparently Sirio Blizzard antenna is very desirable as is a yaesu 450D.Just knocking up a simple inverted v for horizontal.

[@superrodder2002]

You can also open up a CB radio and install a DDS-VFO ran by an Arduino controller and listen to all the ham bands . There are videos on KZbin showing basic info on the mod.

[@g4nsj]

That's worth looking into!

[@davidschwartz9636]

Not boring in the slightest Ray. Very interested to hear what you had to say about the way things have gone over the years. Also, I total agree with you that Off-Com don't really want to know, and that seems to be the case with regards to the amateur bands too! - They don't even actually issue a physical amateur radio license to amateurs anymore, all you get is a call sign allocated. I do have a full license (M0XQZ), but I honestly believe, if you were to just make up a call sign that wasn't being used, they wouldn't be in the slightest bit interested in if it was officially issued or not, there's no policing of the bands anymore. Regards to you Ray, and thanks for another good video.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, David. It's nice to hear from you. I agree about call signs... you could make one up and no one would bother about it. More videos coming soon. Cheers for now, Ray.

[@fredshead3956]

The strange thing is in 1980 i had an illegal 40 channel AM Colt 210, the post office at that time were chasing people and fineing them, now 40 years later there giving them all the bands we were using in the first place free, all down to money i bet....Fred.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Fred, great to hear from you. I love your videos. You're right about giving them all the bands we were using in the first place. It's a crazy world! Cheers, Ray.

[@fredshead3956]

@@g4nsj Hi Ray, yes i have put afew videos on here, not recently, there are some of me doing the cube, some on radio and sure prob other stuff, you just put g4vvq in the search box, F.

[@g4nsj]

@@fredshead3956 Thanks, I'll take a look.

[@zeproo]

11 meter is the only last haven for the free speech, licenced free world.. We are humans not state controlled robots. Radio amateurs are restricted what they can say, its all regulated.Talking about politics is even forbidden. Its no secret that 11 meter (cb band) is jam packed by thousands of radio amateurs QSO'ing all over the place, QSO'ing about all topics, no limits. I have many friends radio amateurs talking on the 40 EU CB channels. Some of the 11m operators use more power, but that is no issue. Tv broadcast channels have been migrated the UHF - Ghertz frequencies and HF broadcast is phased out. No interference, no complaints at the regulators. Only sadly in USA it is over the top with dirty signals.

[@g4nsj]

You're right, I agree totally. Thanks for commenting. Cheers, Ray.

[@toffeeme4251]

This is why I am here. For this reason.

[@tedmead465]

But as a cber you do not have the access to tthe vast amount of bandwidth nor the much higher power limits that amatuers are allowed. The thing is we are self policed by our own fellows, and the FCC can revoke our license for non compliance. And operating without a license is a hefty fine

[@tedmead465]

Dirty signals? Do you have any idea how atmospheric and geographic conditions affect propogation? Many people envision an amateur radio setup as a giant antenna farm or multi kilowatt radio. Nothing can be further than the truth. Things such as antenna height, size for band, earth mineral composition, geographic features and structures, and weather conditions, temperature, and ionic saturation in the atmosphere all can affect signal quality. Not to mention reflection losses from the signal bouncing off the earth and ionosphere multiple times. Now im not being snarky here but if you cant take those factors into account before making a judgement, the you need to learn a lot more about propogation

[@peterdambier]

Thankyou for unmessing the mess. I remember good old Sommerkamp FTDX-500 when you either had hamradio or 11m but never in the same shack or your license was gone. That is why a friend of mine had an FTDX-500. Of coarse he only used it for hamradio. Apropos everybody had an italien license. You got it when you ordered your FTDX in Swizzerland but you had to spell your callsign in italien :)

[@g4nsj]

Hi Peter, thanks for the info. All very interesting. Cheers, Ray.

[@tribulationcoming]

I have a cobra cam 88 tube type, not the original radio, a friend gave one to me. The original one was purchased in 1965, put it in the station wagon, put out about 15 watts. Very good from n5qdm.

[@raysrants]

Wow, nice radio!

[@g0fvt]

Some of the idea to the strange CB27/81 radios was to give UK manufacturers a head start, not that it ever happened. The Anytone is PC programmable, though I don't know how high/low they will go. Certainly some of the rigs available now would have been fantastic to have had back in the day. I departed from CB in about 1984, but still have a listen from time to time to see what activity is on there. Sadly I cannot travel back in time and relive the fun times on there...

[@g4nsj]

I wish we could travel back in time! OK on the strange 27/81. That's a good point. Cheers, Ray.

[@g0fvt]

@@g4nsj the government were probably pretty pleased with themselves, the campaigners wanted 27MHz, so they got it, but FM and on a funny offset. Probably a controversial point but when I first got my amateur licence it was fun to suggest to amateurs that if they wanted a 10m antenna that actually worked they would do well to see what CBers were up to. CBers stuck on just one band soon found that a 5//8 wave vertical at about 60ft was a beast of an antenna. Certainly compared to a G5RV tangled in a wet tree.

[@g4nsj]

@@g0fvt Yes, I have a CB 5/8 wave vertical tuned to the 10 metre band and it works really well. I'm thinking of getting another one and tuning it to the 12 metre band.

[@tc2425]

During the previous solar cycle we worked DX at the bottom of 11 meter band....26.285 MHz USB was the World Wide Call Frequency ....and go all the way down into 25 Mhz for QSO ...very clean low noise level down there .... 73

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Thanks for the info. 👍

[@americaswayout4489]

I remember finding a food delivery in Italy in the 24 meg area below 12 meters and talking to them on FM they had RCI made radios. Also you might check 25,000 to 25, 250 or so for both SSB or FM used by the oil field workers. Talked to Russia to an oil field co. Lots of stuff will pop up as the cycle warms up. Remember a new marine activity near Japan and others on 24 megs right now.

[@g4nsj]

20 to 30 MHZ is interesting. There's also stuff above 30MHz.

[@toffeeme4251]

Very entertaining video. You have a great personality.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@joeblow8593]

The FCC in the U.S. hasn't really cared what people do on CB radio for a long time. I'm sure you've heard those skip stations on Channel 6 out of the Southern U.S. They run excessive power on that channel, rumored to be as much as 10,000 watts or more and the FCC does nothing about them. Even still, CB is still worth getting just for Channel 19 to find out about road conditions when you're out on the major highways. It really becomes handy when there is a traffic jam up ahead.. Not too long ago, the FCC finally allowed FM on CB here and there has been a new but small interest in CB again

[@g4nsj]

Hi Joe, great to hear from you. Yes, I do listen to the Channel 6 stations, some of them are very strong here! I think there's a CB revival going on here, which is good. Cheers, Ray.

[@pablod6872]

I think there's a benefit to having a narrow portion of the spectrum, like CB, where the authorities turn a blind eye to all of the craziness. If someone wants to build a 10kW home station, or turn their pickup truck into a mobile radio shack, let them do it where they won't cause interference to other services. I don't want someone screwing up the amateur bands with a commercial power station. And I do wish they would get rid of the "approved for type" rules - why the hell can't I buy an off-the-shelf radio that can do HF and CB?

[@g4nsj]

@@pablod6872 Yes, I think that narrow portion of the spectrum is a good idea. OK about FM allowed on CB. That's good. Cheers, Ray.

[@Shnick]

I can hear the channel 6 guys in Vegas… in Wichita Falls.

[@g4nsj]

@@Shnick Excellent!

[@richhall1808]

Great video - I always learn something!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@tonyd6884]

I still have a radio on 19 when traveling it’s still a very good thing to have especially when you hit a traffic jam and can’t see what’s happening. I have an old 706 that receives 11 meters I’ve yet to hear anyone on FM 11 meters 😊

[@SimonBlandford]

I recently discovered the "Super Bowl" on 27.025MHz (CH 6 band D) AM from the US. Apparently some of these guys arrange to have 200A 240V supplies to their homes and can run upwards of 10KW AM, 40KW dead-key (AM needs >4x the carrier power for peak modulation). I've seen them interviewing each other on KZbin and it seems some of them have experience in AM broadcast engineering. I can't imagine a 10KW AM station lasting long in the UK without a knock on the door! I can easily hear the Super Bowl on a small Wizzloop antenna in my bedroom, most afternoons.

[@KageShi]

There are many persons on that channel pushing 1kw or more. There is a guy about 15 miles away that has 15kw of amp going to his antenna field. Half the time I can hear him on about 6 other channels when he is at full power.

[@SimonBlandford]

@@KageShi Wow! That’s a lot of KW. Is this in the UK? I’ve recently been learning about the Super Bowl in the US and the insane kit they use.

[@KageShi]

@@SimonBlandford No that would be Just East of Atlanta GA, USA.

[@christophersmith1155]

15k is about the middle of the road. I run 8,800 here in midtown manhattan and more at my home in the suburbs.

[@christophersmith1155]

15k is about the middle of the road. I run 8,800 here in midtown manhattan and more at my home in the suburbs

[@julianrobertson3303]

Thank you for the useful information .

[@THUNDERPOLETV]

I ❤ CB Radio

[@g4nsj]

Me too! 👍

[@udx-483muddbucket5]

I enjoyed your commentary. It had a lot of information and kept my attention throughout the full content. I own a AT5555 and I'm loving the coverage and performance I'm getting with it. Cheers and maybe we'll hear you out there on some of these areas we don't belong. Lol ✌✌

[@g4nsj]

Some of these areas we don't belong... Love it! Cheers for now, Ray.

[@Murderdogs]

Excellent video, very informative! One thing that I've always been curious about is where exactly the "low band", "high band" etc channels actually originated from? Not seen any sign of them ever being legitimate frequencies anywhere in the world! Was it just a case of some enterprising radio manufacturer "deciding to hell with the rules, we're going to add an extra 160 channels in our radio" - and it just caught on from there?

[@g4nsj]

I'm not sure where the bands came from. You could be right about to hell with the rules!

[@RGC198]

Hi Ray, interesting video. You mentioned about the UK using frequencies not used anywhere else. Before FM radio was introduced here in Australia, there were suggestions to put our FM band on UHF, as Band 2 was then being used by TV channels. Fortunately, this didn't happen and instead, the TV channels were gradually moved and our FM radio used 88-198MHz, which matched the rest of the world. FM radio had been trialed in Australia in the late 1950's, but was later removed due to lack of interest at the time. Then Band 2 was allocated for TV channels. Of course, in 1974, FM radio was re-introduced and then all the TV channels on Band 2, had to be moved to other frequencies to make space. If they had stuck with the original TV channel plan here, Band 2 would have been left clear. Anyway, wishing you all the very best. Rob in Melbourne Australia.

[@raysrants]

Hi Rob, that's interesting. Thanks for the info. We used to have police comms in the middle of our FM radio stations on band 2. They used AM but it was a cray idea! Great to hear from you and thanks again for the info. Cheers, Ray.

[@RGC198]

@@raysrants New Zealand also used their FM band for police channels for many years like the UK. It is a pity that the FM band can't be extended worldwide to include the Japan FM frequencies. Then we would have 76MHz to 108MHz. There are quite a number of radios being made these days covering all those frequencies.

[@g4nsj]

@@RGC198 I do listen down to 76MHz when the propagation is good and I can hear Russian and Polish stations. They also come through on out 4 metre band on 70Kmz.

[@indridcold8433]

UK FM CB is 27.60125 to 27.99125. But the all mode portion is the traditional 26.965Mhz to 27.405Mhz. There has been some, "questionable," transmissions heard from the Manchester area between 27.405Mhz to 27.6Mhz

[@jessikaentwistle3145]

Hi Ray. I've been into c. B back in the am days before the 27/81 fm days... And long after on triple 5. 27.555 USB... Before I got licenced... In the 27/81 days fm. Base station antennas were limited to a radiating whip of no more then 1.5 meters... Like the thunder pole... Silver arrow... But most like me used a 5/8 wave silver rod. 23 feet on 27mhz.. 73s jess m3zeg

[@g4nsj]

Hi Jess, I like the 5/8 wave silver rod antennas. They do really well, even art low heights. Cheers, Ray.

[@alzeNL]

Thank you for this excellent video, I found your video interesting and had all the info I needed. I'm a licenced amateur radio (Intermediate) and found the 'minefield' of all the bands for 11m to be confusing ! Your video and website really helped out. I'm mostly interested in SSTV having received via the IC705 (no TX) on 11m, was some great pictures on there and interesting coverage/range with the skip.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Glad you found the video useful. Cheers, Ray.

[@jamesstapleton2936]

Your anytone 5555 is off frequency on ch38 in the video, which is displaying 27.395

[@raysrants]

Hi James. You're right. I didn't have the 10kHz shift in. Cheers, Ray.

[@jamesstapleton2936]

@@raysrants no worries and a great video

[@mikeg7jyy389]

Hi Ray, hope your well young man, back in the late 70s I brought a CB radio and installed it in the car upon switching it on the first thing I heard was a female voice advertising the cost of a sexual nature! Moving on to the next channel someone was threatening someone with graphic violence, and so on, so the radio was removed and used for spares. Great to see your video as always 👍🏻

[@g4nsj]

Hi Mike, Yes, I'm fine. Young man... I like that! Things were very different back in the 70s. I don't think there's anything like that going on these days. Cheers for now, Ray.

[@MatthewCEBamber]

I'm addicted to your Channel ray 😂🙏keep em coming! Would you do a video on how to interpret hf propagation weather data?

[@g4nsj]

Yes, I'll give that idea some thought. Nice to hjear from you. Cheers, Ray.

[@Allocated_Brain]

at the 17 minute mark I heard a rather familiar local voice from down the road from me in Cleveland, OHIO USA. There do be a lot of such signals originating from this part of the world it seems.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Propagation is good at the moment.

[@kbjerke]

That was quite interesting! I haven't really thought about CB or the 11 meter band since the 1970s! I had at the time a 5 watt, 23 channel Realistic walkie talkie, and a 108" whip antenna on the rear bumper of my 1967 VW bug! Made a contact with someone in Texas early on. I was on the shores of Lake Ontario, just west of Toronto. The fad didn't last long, though, with the foul language and jamming, so I gave up. But in 1990, with the urging of my Dad, who was a HAM, I passed the exam and got my own Amateur Radio license! Thanks for the inspiration - I may explore the 11 meter region once again. 73 de Karl, VE3GUN

[@g4nsj]

Hi Karl, great to hear from you. Sadly, there's still foul language on our UK FM channels but all other channels are pretty good these days. Yes, do explore 11 metres again. Cheers, Ray.

[@kbjerke]

@@g4nsj Thanks, Ray! Mainly I play around on 6 meters SSB, weak signal. But if I find a good deal on a 10 -12 meter rig... 🤔 Must take advantage of this solar cycle! 73!

[@g4nsj]

@@kbjerke I've been monitoring 6m but not heard a great deal of DX as yet. It will happen, though! Cheers, Ray.

[@spankthemonkey3437]

I got the Lincoln 2+ it goes from 24.7 mhz to 30.1 Mhz after I unlocked it and took out the limiter and it will do 45 to 50 Watts depending on swr

[@g4nsj]

Wow, nice rig!

[@joemason9187]

Nice talk old bean I was on 10 11m 1978 cobra 19x with a biscuit tin and dv27 in the loft, soon bought my next one hygain5 and a good few more rigs, it's only been in recent years I've got back to it with an ss3900 found a york 863 and some 446 pmr radios chineezium but great little rigs, still you get some obsene lingo but not heard it on the ssb channels, I'm trying to encourage more use around here in Nottinghamshire L

[@g4nsj]

Hi Joe, I have tried to encourage more use in my area but without much success. 446 was pretty good at one time but that seems to have died.

[@richardmillican7733]

I have the Alinco version of the anytone, it does exactly what the anytone does and pushes out around 45 watts in all modes. Nobody on KZbin seems to have covered the divisional system used only in 11 meters where each and every country has its own assigned number for 11 meter call signs. I believe it emerged in Italy so Italy is 1. America is 2. England is 26, Wales is 163. Etc etc. I am in Wales so I'm 163 - FB - 029. Also Ray the use of 11 meters is a good way into the amateur radio hobby. You'll have heard people using Q-codes correctly and good operational behaviour unlike UK FM back in the 80s and the majority of people on 11 meters are not licenced hams.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Richard, Yes it is a good way to get into amateur radio. I think a lots of people started out with CB and them became licensed. A lot of amateurs I know also use CB. I have listed the divisional list here... www.radio-workshop.co.uk/cb-radio-citizens-band-27mhz-11-metres/ Cheers for now, Ray.

[@richardmillican7733]

@@g4nsj wow. Great looking website Ray I shall delve deeper 👍

[@g4nsj]

@@richardmillican7733 Thanks, Richard. I'm always updating the site so keep an eye on it.

[@zjzozn]

Thank you for the boring vlog👍 ……. I must be boring, as I always enjoy your channel 👍👍👍🌈

[@g4nsj]

Haha! Glad you enjoy the channel. Cheers, Ray.

[@mgtfbluestreak3956]

Yes in 1981 I had a harrier cbx connected to hygain silver rod and president madison and ham international multimode 2 loved it I was only a teenager but loved talking to folk or even earwigging that bit further away❤I did have the local authority come round because I wiped the local 4 whatters out a bit has there maxcoms could not stand it❤in the 90s everyone went crazy for scanners from tandy

[@g4nsj]

I remember it well. Great fun back then.

[@mgtfbluestreak3956]

I wonder if Alan sugar ever went on air with one of his cb radios I remember it with a lot of fairy lights the Amstrad. cb40

[@g4nsj]

-@@mgtfbluestreak3956 Perhaps he did!

[@chipc4936]

Nice video and website, Ray. Well done.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@stedogue]

Hi ray, I hope you are well my friend great bit of information, I was into cb/ sideband in the 80s then sold it all in the 90s and recently did my ham license but I'm definitely still hooked on freeband but I couldn't really understand what was going on and I think you have just cleared it all up for me, basically my opinion is use the frequency's but be sensible and enjoy the hobby, I definitely will be checking some of your videos out in the future have a great day my friend, ste from st helens 73 for now.

[@g4nsj]

Great to hear from you, thanks for posting. Cheers, Ray.

[@frankc1430]

Excellent video Ray!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@MM0IMC]

I borrowed a friend's CRT SS-6900n v6, for testing. On full power AM and FM, it was clean into a TinySA spectrum analyser. On SSB, unfortunately there were spurs at +/- 2.5MHz the fundamental frequency. His radio was a 2017 era one and hadn't been screwdrivered. I used 80dB attenuation between the radio and TinySA. This seems to be a common thing in many types of 11m export radios. It's a feature of their unfiltered mixer products... I'd love to find a multimode legal CB radio that's actually clean on the air!

[@g4nsj]

I find that a lot of the cheaper rigs today are lacking decent filtering. I suppose that's why they are cheap.

[@MM0IMC]

​@@g4nsj the other problem is lack of noise blanker on them for SSB. That noise you were picking up on both the Anytone and Kenwood was PLT. It's easily sorted on the Kenwood by using the noise blanker.

[@g4nsj]

@@MM0IMC Yes, the Kenwood noise blanker is good. The Icom IC7300 blanker is far better though. The NB on the Anytone doesn't seem to be that good.

[@MM0IMC]

​@@g4nsj it's more for AM or FM.

[@MM0IMC]

​@@g4nsjI've got the newer version CRT SS-6900V7. It's nice and clean, not having those previous spurs on 2.5 MHz above and below the fundamental frequency.

[@timg5tm941]

Great overview Ray! 73 from sunny Arundel

[@g4nsj]

Hi Tim., great to hear from you in Arundel! It's sunny here at the moment! Cheers, Ray.

[@jonfr]

I got an old radio, I think is a CB radio from United States. Its from my late step father. I've never heard anything on it when I check. I might try to and check if I get anything on it.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, try it and see what you can hear. You never know!

[@indridcold8433]

Is anyone on 49Mhz? Here in Northern Saskatchewan, there is a small emerging 49Mhz. Stations typically run 5 to 50 watts, from what I hear. There are a very few 50 to 100 watts, but the are few. The 50 to 100 watt stations have sideband and AM capabilites. I hear them on my communications receiver. It has been happening for about five hears now. I doubt the CRCT is going allow it much longer. It is actually really well ran for a clandestine band. Here, the legal limit for 49Mhz is 500 milliwatts with an affixed antenna on the walkie talkie. The, "base," stations are also limited to 500 milliwatts. Thus, the new band users are far beyond the legal limit of power. I believe the transmit mode is also limited to FM. But I have to check on that. Let us hear from the 49Mhz users.

[@m3hnl]

iam a licensed ham myself ray its incredible to think that a foundation license holder can only use 10 watts but a cb operator can use 12 watts it needs to be sorted out i hope you agree

[@g4nsj]

I do agree. It’s rather odd!

[@Boozion]

Hi Ray. Thanks for sharing. I live in the US Portland Oregon. I bought a anytone at 500m 10 meter radio. Works great. I really like the at 5555 you got there. I might have to invest in one of those lol. But love to see more of your radio vids. Great stuff. Anyway take care and looking forward to hearing your Sunday podcast. 😎

[@g4nsj]

Hi Gary, great to hear from you. The Sunday Podcast is now live. The AT5555 is a brilliant rig, I can highly recommend it. Cheers, Ray.

[@toymakerlarry1955]

I remember way back in 1969 here in the states my first radio was a Lafayette Comstat 25A tube job and i even remember my call letters KBW0268 . Those were the good old days until the FCC let the band go all to hell,

[@g4nsj]

I miss the good old days. Things are very different now.

[@SuperFisherman1966]

Thanks Ray. 27.555.00 calling channel is a mess at times I like 26.285.00

[@g4nsj]

Yes, I prefer 26.285. Much less chaotic! Cheers, Ray.

[@NuttyforNissan]

I just finished watching "UK FM CB radio servicing" removing the modulation transformer from a CB because it was illegal to use AM in the UK?

[@g4nsj]

I think it's legal now... not sure though.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

@@g4nsj Since 2014 AM and USB LSB now legal.

[@basshorseman998]

I got into FM broadcast 1st, then in the end of the 1970's/early 80's, 11 meters in every way I could..Johnson tube transmitters, Heathkit, etc..That led to getting my license in around 1990... CB, the gateway drug in radio

[@g4nsj]

Tube transmitters... those were the days!

[@DickieBird888]

The CRT 7900 turbo is a cracking set to buy right now and has a lovely large display with 40 watts out... great for dx..also look out for the new CRT 3900, 2023 version like the old cobra 148 but with a 7900 board inside so best of both worlds....Lol..

[@DickieBird888]

As well as 555 also checkout channel 38 mids LSB and channel 28 mids AM

[@Team-fabulous]

The reason why we were given strange CB frequencies is to force us into buying new equipment so the government could make a few quid from us..

[@g4nsj]

Yes, I think you're right!

[@justawfulgamer7738]

After buying a 11m/10m rig. I MUCH prefer 10m over cb. More civilized and not just all overmodulated noise

[@g4nsj]

I know what you mean!

[@get__some]

thanks for your time. a few of us in Ohio are curious why we haven't been hearing the UK on 11m for months. do the conditions regularly drop out like this in the middle of solar max? it was busy every morning a year ago...

[@g4nsj]

11m has been strange lately. Some days it's really good and, other days, it's dead. Very odd conditions. 73 Ray.

[@ramjet4025]

Very nice example of Skip between England, Bulgary and the USA. I'm wondering how well FM works on the same band higher up on 27 mhz. I'm thinking of putting up a transponder on an fM channel in Canada.

[@g4nsj]

Good idea about the transponder. Let me know how you get on.

[@millrad]

Listen to 26.805, the unofficial 11 meter FM calling channel. There are some lids on the frequency, but mostly operators from the states chat back and forth and get signal reports. I'm in CT and I hear a lot of Texas operators on .805.

[@richardgroves290]

You are very funny man, very entertaining! Bucket mouths! 😆

[@g4nsj]

Haha! Thanks!

[@VrillonAura2012]

Thanks Ray really informative video - I did see on Del boys webpage a full list of all the different blocks. Be interesting to get something like the anytone just for receive of course :)

[@g4nsj]

Great to hear from you! Yes, the Anytone AT5555 is well worth getting. As you say, just for listening! Cheers, Ray.

[@maxwellbruce4747]

Offcom has no funding to bother with CB pirates now . :-)

[@g4nsj]

True!

[@rpcomms1]

Personal.Radio.Service or P.R.S what it can be referred to ,think FCC refer to it as that .Fab video The ABCDEF refers to Russia CB system in blocks or grids Some in 00Khz steps others in European 5khz steps . Yes CB in UK wasn't handled very well at all. Why ofcom cannot allocate a full PRS service from 25.615-27.955mhz 25w ERP increase it Add digital voice VoIP Simplex repeaters Just let us get on using it Rather than allocating more precious vhf-uhf CB type systems. Military haven't used that band since WW2/Post war ! Moved onto better things now. So would make far more sense to open up PRS 25-28Mhz ,keep it simple stupid in regulations and create new markets for UK and Export purposes.Common sense at end of day 😊

[@g4nsj]

Great, thanks for the info. Cheers, Ray.

[@drsysop]

24 MHz is the 12 Meter ham band. 25 MHz AM mode WWV Fort Collins, Colorado USA has a time signal there. You can hear FM in parts of the 25 MHz band some radio station are using them for station to studio link & some US military using them frequencies there also. 26 MHz is New Zealand 40 Channels & Free Band as many use it for skip as well. Illegal non licensed Taxi companies use that band also. 26.965-27.405 is the US/CA/EU & most of the world 40 Channel CB & now US & Canada can use FM on that band even though many did it back in the 90's. 27.415 - 29.995 MHz is Free Band but not legal in US & Canada though they use it as FCC not seem to care or check it. Also many use the A Channels in the US/CA/EU bands 3A, 7A, 11A, 15A & 19A. Those to use to be for remote control toys & alarms but not used anymore.

[@g4nsj]

Hi, great to hear from you. I use 10 and 12 metres a lot, they are brilliant bands when the propagation is good. Thanks fir all the info, that’s interesting. Cheers, Ray.

[@drsysop]

@@g4nsj 10 11 & 12 meters is active lately as the cycle is good again. -Cheers 73's

[@g4nsj]

@@drsysop Yes, I've been doing well on 12m.

[@steelcityman9767]

Great Video.. very informative ... I'm thinking of returning to 11meters after a break of....well, like you say, when it all went crazy with FM. Thinking of buying an ANYTONE ARES 2...I would value your opinion of that particular rig, I've subscribed and rung your bell, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@g4nsj]

I think the Anytone radios are brilliant. I don’t have experience of that particular radio but the write up looks good.

[@timsmith428]

..I am amazed that there is digital stuff happening on 11m. 27.700 is where the SSTV guys hang out. FT8, PSK JS8 call, etc...

[@g4nsj]

I know, it's crazy!

[@c3pno]

Good video, very informative covers the topic well! Learnt a little too 👍 cheers

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@rkmklz7562]

Need one that goes from 26 to 28mhz...so you have enough space....with all.... modes ...that would be great....I got into CB in the 1970s....we need new radios to get a better Skip that is needed

[@g4nsj]

26 to 28MHz would be great!

[@w.rustylane5650]

You Englishers refer to your radios as "kits" and we Americans call our radios "rigs". I got my start back in the mid 70's in CB radio and now I'm a Ham of 4 years. Cheers & 73 from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@g4nsj]

It's a nice piece of kit or... it's a nice rig. I think both are used here.

[@timlc]

I think one of the main reasons for not allocating the ‘standard’ CB frequencies here in the UK was poor quality radios that generated a very strong third harmonic, especially if used with poorly screened linear amplifiers. 27.125 (Ch 14) times 3 is 81.375. The 81 to 82 Mhz AM band was the allocation designated to mobile input for Emergency Service repeaters, especially the Fire Service. I know for a fact one particular local CB user caused mayhem as he flipped through the 27 MHz channels pushing out 100watts! I’m not sure the main reason for the UK being given a higher FM section of the 27 MHz band was due to an idiot behind a desk, it was more a case of idiots abusing the AM allocation using poor quality radios and amplifiers!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, you make some good points.

[@foxman362]

Nice radio setup.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@KageShi]

I recently had a nice and loud contact from my mobile in Northern Italy and Somewhere in Austria in the same morning. I'm in South East USA tad farther from the coast than I would like however I can hear Europe and Jamaica nearly every morning to lunch then South America takes over and by afternoon all I can hear is Mexico, New Mexico and the Western seaboard.

[@g4nsj]

The band is definitely improving as we near the sunspot maximum. Good DX!

[@kelnewman1446]

Hi the anytone looks the same as n6900

[@DonzLockz]

I haven't used AM CB for 40 years. I have no idea of what frequencies we can use downunder. Lol🤷‍♂️😆🇦🇺

[@g4nsj]

Get back into CB, it's worth a go!

[@hdguppies]

"I'm not saying do that, although you probably will." I literally did a spit-take. Too funny. and you're right.

[@g4nsj]

Haha! Lovely comment. Thanks, Jay.

[@M0WWS]

They were called the muppet channels after MPT in the type approval MPT-1320. Aerials were limited to 1.5m long loaded at the base only.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, Gareth.